Bella Vista bridge tournament is fast approaching

Celebrate your bridge milestones

Tired of the same old, same old at bridge tournaments? The Bella Vista NLM Regional and Sectional Bridge Tournament is offering some new twists designed to make playing here even more enjoyable, with a great learning opportunity to boot. Join in the Aug. 23-26 tournament for a fun weekend of cards, food, camaraderie and bridge education.

Bella Vista veterans memorial

Every year the tournament supports a local charity or group in need of financial assistance. This year it will be the Bella Vista Veterans Wall of Honor and donations are invited to help maintain this wonderful landmark. “The Veterans Council plans to have a presence at the tournament between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday, and from 8 to 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday,” according to council President Doug Grant. “We invite anyone interested in becoming a ‘Friend of the Veterans Wall of Honor’ to stop at Riordan and visit with us.”

Newer players welcome

The future of the tournament lies in attracting new players and we invite the scores of social bridge players in the Bella Vista area to give us a try. You don’t have to be a duplicate bridge player to have a good time. “Our club is one of the largest supporters of beginner duplicate bridge in Northwest Arkansas,” according to Kevin Glasgow, manager of the Bella Vista Duplicate Bridge Club. “We promise you will feel welcome, feel safe and have fun playing at our club and tournament.” Three teachers are in the mix to offer beginner lessons at Riordan Hall. Call Kevin at 713-824-5694 or email him at Kevin glasgow3477@gmail.com to find out more.

“Our Non-Life Master games are just one example,” Glasgow went on to say. “This year we are introducing a Knockout Team event limited to nonlife master players. This event is designed for tournament newcomers who have never had the opportunity to experience the rewards associated with KO Team games.”

Learning from the past

A lot went right at the tournament last year. Riordan Hall is a great playing site with good lighting, plenty of space, consistent hospitality and congenial bridge players. Typical remarks from a post-tournament survey included: “Great tournament! We have put the dates for 2018 in the diary,” and “Overall, the tourney was a very big success, especially for newer duplicate players. Many positive comments were overheard regarding the staff, food and play.” Then there was the lady from Florida who had her own “Bella Vista Moment” saying: “WOW! Appalachia is such a beautiful place to play in.” Someone quickly told her she was in the Ozarks. As we get older, we get colder! Bridge tournaments, like restaurants or movie theaters, can get chilly so we recommend that you dress comfortably but bring a sweater along just in case.

What have we done for you lately?

There are plenty of new tournament wrinkles that will appeal to bridge players at all experience levels:

• A new tournament website that is both userfriendly and packed with useful information. Visit www.bellavistabridgetourney.org/ to find out more about the tournament and how to pre-register.

• A bridge workshop has been added this year, hosted by Karen Walker, a nationally known bridge player, columnist and teacher. Starting the day before the tournament and ending the following morning, the workshop includes two learning sessions, dinner, an evening game and a Friday morning breakfast. Topics include pre-emptive bidding, defending against opponents’ pre-empts, and sacrifices. Bring your camera and take a picture with Karen, buy a copy of her book: “Bridge for Beginners and Beyond” (available for $8) and have her autograph it. Hang out with Karen at Gusano’s after the game.

Karen’s presentations are always excellent and well-received by new players. She has a way of making everything understandable and easy to grasp. To learn more and register, go to www.bellavistabridgetourney.org/walker.html.

• More GOLD RUSH Team Games limited to NLM’s or players who have fewer than 750 master points. Six sessions — Friday through Sunday — are scheduled. Tournament newcomers have told us they really like these games and find them non-intimidating and rewarding experiences. Try them out! Gold and Red master points are awarded.

• A great SECTIONAL tournament for more experienced players who may or may not be Life Masters. Silver master points are awarded.

• We also have a “Guaranteed Partner” policy for all games. If you know ahead

of time that you will need a partner, call or email Kevin Glasgow, our partnership chair (see above). Otherwise, just show up 45 minutes before the game (with your cellphone) and he will accommodate you.

As always, there are those who have all the colored points they need and just want to play bridge. Don’t fret. Come enjoy our food and Five Star Rated hospitality, renew contacts with tournament friends, and have a great time playing bridge.

It takes a village to run a tournament

Bella Vista has always been a great supporter of our bridge club and tournament and we want to thank you for that. Please help us again this year. Preregister for the tournament using one of three methods: (1) play at our Club Game(s) at Riordan Hall any Tuesday or Thursday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. and preregister there, (2) go online at bellavistabridgetourney.org/reg.html and fill out the user-friendly application, or (3) send an email to nwa.bridge@gmail.com. For further information, contact Robert Gromatka, tournament chair at johngrom2771@cox.net.